Owepar Records is proud to release Miles Away, the long overdue debut album from Shelley Rená, available now on Owepar Records.
As the cousin of Dolly Parton, Rená grew up as part of a historical music lineage as a member of the Owens-Parton family in East Tennessee. Rená spent many years raising a family, doing session work, and performing on stage at Dollywood. She developed a creative partnership with keyboardist and producer Peter Keys (Parliament-Funkadelic, Yelawolf, Lynyrd Skynyrd). Miles Away is the result of their collaboration with 11 songs that mine tradition while blending in elements of neo-soul, rock, funk, and Appalachian Gospel.
Rená co-wrote seven originals on Miles Away and adds her fire and soul to tasteful interpretations of deeper tracks by Muddy Waters (“Can’t Be Satisfied”), Stevie Wonder (“You Haven’t Done Nothin”), Dolly Parton (“Blue Me”) and gender-flipped take on a Bill Withers classic (“Use Me”).
The line in the title track, “Not stealing the spotlight, just making my own way” captures her sentiments about recording her debut and coming from the talent and legacy of her legendary family. “La Dee Dah” is a genre-bending anthem that rejects small-town gossip. The track features Hickhop-inspired rhymes from her cousin, musical artist and filmmaker Sabyn Mayfield.
As an album title, Miles Away represents much more. It is a symbol of the distance Shelley Rená has traveled to arrive at where she is right now. On Miles Away, she shows that it was worth the wait.
For more information and streaming links, visit shelley.bandzoogle.com.
Miles Away is is available through the Smoky Mountain DNA Shop.